Steve Grant, the assistant director of human resources, who is leading the apprentice drive, said: “I have been hugely encouraged by the success of our 2014 intake of apprentices who are working and learning in many different areas of the institution and who have benefited from the support of committed managers and supervisors. The feedback I have received from our apprentices’ line managers, and from the apprentices themselves, is that the programme is hugely successful and that we could and should do more.

“I will be working with the National Apprenticeship Service and university colleagues to ensure we build upon this success. This is as much about what we can do as a major employer in the region for young people, or those wishing to take a different career path, as it is about changing the profile of our workforce, investing in skills development and bringing in new people with fresh ideas. It is clear that our apprentices are making a significant impact and I would encourage other employers in the region to actively consider recruiting an apprentice.”